Folding closure construction

ABSTRACT

This disclosure concerns an accordian fold closure panel of the type pendantly supported on elevated trackway structure and the type adapted for embodiment in a folding door or window closure or in a pendant folding curtain wall closure. Each hinge joint connection joining adjacent slat elements of the folding closure includes mating pintle and groove portions formed respectively on confronting edge margins of each adjacent pair of vertical slat elements of tee folding closure. The pintle structure of each slat hinge connection is of slotted tube form defining a hollow core axial interior extending coextensive of the pintle structure. The opposite end portions of the hollow axial interior of the pintle structure of each hinge joint connection preferably provide means for fixedly receiving upper and lower oppositely projecting threaded screw elements: an upper hanger screw element is threadedly fixed in the upper interior of the pintle structure of a respective hinge joint connections and pendantly supports the folding closure panel from elevated trolley means; a lower guide screw is threadedly fixed in the lower interior of the slotted tube pintle structure and supports guide bearing means operative in grooveway structure formed in horizontal sill means of the folding closure apparatus.

United States Patent Sassano [54] FOLDING CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION [72]Inventor: John H. Sassano, Hollywood, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Weather Control Shutters, Inc., Broward County, Pa.

[22] Filed: June 25, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 49,785

52 U.S.Cl ..l60/118,l60/l83, 160/199, 160/206, 160/235, 292/128 [51]lnt.Cl ..E06b3/48 [58] Field of Search ..160/1 18, 229, 196, 199, 206,

160/231 R, 235, 84; 292/128, DIG. 46

[56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,351,656 6/1944 Auten..l60/199 2,350,287 5/1944 Michelman. 3,267,990 8/1966 Harris 2,746,5405/1956 Dixon, Jr ..160/84H X 2,917,915 12/1959 Rainman.. 1,599,4389/1926 Shelly 3,447,584 6/1969 Smart... 3,463,530 8/1969 Modes ..292/128Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Philip C.Kannan Attorney-John Cyril Malloy [57] ABSTRACT This disclosure concernsan accordian fold closure panel of the type pendantly supported onelevated trackway structure and the type adapted for embodiment in afolding door or window closure or in a pendant folding curtain wallclosure. Each hinge joint connection joining adjacent slat elements ofthe folding closure includes mating pintle and groove portions formedrespectively on confronting edge margins of each adjacent pair ofvertical slat elements of tee folding closure. The pintle structure ofeach slat hinge connection is of slotted tube form defining a hollowcore axial interior extending coextensive of the pintle structure. Theopposite end portions of the hollow axial interior of the pintlestructure of each hinge joint connection preferably provide means forfixedly receiving upper and lower oppositely projecting threaded screwelements: an upper hanger screw element is threadedly fixed in the upperinterior of the pintle structure of a respective hinge joint connectionsand pendantly supports the folding closure panel from elevated trolleymeans; a lower guide screw is threadedly fixed in the lower interior ofthe slotted tube pintle structure and supports guide bearing meansoperative in grooveway structure formed in horizontal sill means of thefolding closure apparatus.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures FOLDING CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relatestoaccordian fold closure panel means generally and particularly relatesto hanger means for suspending accordian fold panel means and forguidingly constraining the panel means during opening and closingmanipulation.

2. Description of the Prior Art I-Ieretofore, a typical practice inpendantly supporting an accordian fold closure panel included a seriesof hanger projections each projecting upwardly from the pintle structureof the respective hinge joint connections connecting adjacent verticalslat elements. The pintle structure of prior art design generally is ofsolid form, and the hanger projections pendantly supporting the closurefrom overhead trolly means being integrally formed on the upperextension of the respective pintle structure. The manufacturing processinforming each hanger projection on the pintle structure of a prior artclosure slat element is expensive in time and material and also presentsdifficulty in installation and maintenance. The typical folding closurealso incorporates rather ineffective means for guidingly constrainingthe lower edge margin of the closure during expanding and contractingfolding movement: a series of guide projections are each integrallyformed to the lower pintle structure of a hinge joint connection andnecessitate expensive manufacture procedure. Moreover, the lower guideprojections in prior art closure fabrication restricted the flexibilityof application of a folding closure and presented problems ininstallation and maintenance. The closure lock means of prior art designalso are of substantially complicated configuration and present problemsin manufacture and use; the complicated design of the typical foldingclosure lock structure increases the costs of manufacture, marketing andinstallation of a folding closure assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention obviates many of theabove-mentioned objectionable features of prior art closure structureand presents an improved closure construction reducing substantially thecost of manufacture and installation thereof as compared with prior artclosures. The principal movement in the closure construction of theinstant invention is brought about substantially in the metal-extrudingmanufacture of the pintle structure of each pintle and slot hingeconnection of the accordian fold panel; the pintle structure is extrudedin generally slotted tube form. This permits an upper and a lower screwelement to be thread-mounted in the opposite end portions of the pintlestructure and. project oppositely respectively upwardly and downwardly.The upward arranged screw element may be in the form of a hanger screwelement and connected with overhead trolley means for pendantlysupporting the accordian fold closure; in a similar manner, the lowertubular interior of a pintle structure may be fitted with a downwardlyprojecting guide screw, carrying a guide bearing, runningly received ingrooveway structure in the horizontal sill of a folding closureinstallation for guidingly constraining the lower edge margin of theaccordian fold closure. The improved closure configuration reducessubstantially the cost of manufacture and increases the flexibility ofinstallation and range of use of accordian fold closure structuresincorporating slot and pintle slat connecting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate frontelevational fragmentary views of the upper portion of the foldingclosure construction of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical plane sectional view taken as on the line 3-3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal plane sectional view taken as on the line 4-4ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating an upper thrustbearing means of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the lower front portion of the folding closureconstruction;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken as on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6and illustrating a particular configuration of the horizontal guide sillmeans of the folding closure;

FIG. 9, similar to FIG. 8, illustrates an embodiment of the foldingclosure structure adapted for installation as a curtain wall closure orthe like, and illustrating particularly the guide sill rail meansarranged along the level of a floor of a building (floor structure beingshown in broken lines);

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention illustrating thefolding closure construction as includinga pair of accordian foldclosures, and as including lock means for releasably locking the pair ofclosures together;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of the lock means of DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The FIGS. 18 illustrate one embodiment ofthe folding closure construction, indicated 14, and illustrated mountedin a building wall 16. An accordian fold closure panel 18 is operablymounted in the building opening by header and sill rail means 20, 22fixedly secured in horizontal parallel relation in the upper and lowermargins of the building opening respectively by screw elements 24.Vertical side jamb members 26 (one shown) secured by screw means 28, maybe fitted on opposite sides of the building opening, and providevertical stationary element means framing the accordian fold closure 18in the installation.

The folding closure 18 includes a plurality of alternatingly arrangededgewise hinged vertical slat members 30, 32 connected together by aseries of inside hinge joint connections 34 and a series of outsidehinge joint connections 36. The hinge joint connections 34, 36 each aregenerally of like form but conversely configured, for admitting ofaccordian fold movement of the closure panel. Each inside hinge joint 34includes a pintle portion 34 extending vertically along an edge marginof a slat body 32, and a groove portion 34" extending along an edgemargin of a slat body 30. The slat members 32, 30 preferably are ofextruded metal form and longitudinally uniform. The slat members 30, 32preferably are extruded with longitudinally extending reinforcing andornamental rib portions 30', 32 extending symmetrically along oppositeside face surfaces respectively of the slat members. The pintle portion34' of each inside hinge joint 34 is generally of slotted tube form anddefines an axial opening 34a and slot opening 34bextending coextensivethe length of the slat member 32 (see FIG. 4). The semi-cylindricalexterior surface of the pintle structure 34' of slat member 32 snuglycorrespondingly engages the interior semi-cylindrical surface of groovestructure 34" of the slat member 30.

Each outside hinge joint connection 36, corresponds in structure witheach of the inside hinge joint connections 34 and includes a pintleportion 36' and groove portion 36" integrally formed respectively withthe slat body structure 30b, 32b of the slat members 30, 32. The pintleportion 36' of each outside hinge joint connection 36 is likewise ofsemi-tubular form and defines an axial opening 364: and slot opening 36bextending coextensive the length of the respective slat members 30, 32.If desired, the slat members 30, 32 may be provided respectively withlouver-like elements 30, 32' struck respectively from the body structure30b, 32b of the slat elements 30, 32, and defining vertical series ofdownwardly oriented openings 30' 32".

The header rail means 20 is generally of tubular form and rectangular incross section, defining a tubular interior 20'. The header rail 20preferably is of extruded metal configuration, and formed with upwardlyprojecting coplanar upper and lower flange portions respectively 38,38'. Screw elements 24 passing through the upper flange portion 38,threadedly engage the wall 16 and horizontally support the header rail20. The lower flange 38 provides compression foot means for abuttinglyengaging the vertical wall surface 16' and for maintaining the headerrail in horizontal outstanding relation to the wall.

The header rail 20 defines an upwardly oriented longitudinally extendingtrackway defining parallel extending dual trackway surfaces 40, 40adapted to runningly support wheels 42', 42' of the folding closuretrolley 42. The trolley per se is of substantially typical design andincludes the pair of trolley wheels 42', 42 and trolley frame structure42" journalling the trolley wheels in stationarily spaced configuration.

The hanger means pendantly supporting the folding closure panel from thetrolley means 42 preferably includes a hanger screw 44 having a shankportion 44' threadedly fixed in the upper interior of the pintlestructure 34 of each alternate inside hinge joint connection 34. Eachhanger screw 44 preferably is of a self-tapping type and with itshardened shank portion 44' received in the upper interior of the axialopening 340 and fixedly embedded in the pintle structure 34' of therespective inside hinge joint 34. If desired, an annular plastic washer46 may be placed underneath the screw head portion 44" and ridinglyengaged with the upper surface of the trolley frame 42' The foldingclosure construction also preferably includes upper guide means forguidingly constraining the upper horizontal margin of the foldingclosure panel 18 during bidirectional movement and for maintaining thetrolley 42 in a laterally centered disposition relative to the tubularinterior 20 of the header rail 20: The header rail preferably includes aparallel spaced pair of depending flange portions 48, 48 defining aconfronting pair of guide surfaces adapted to opposingly engage oppositeportions of an upper guide bearing 50 concentrically supported on arespective hanger screw 44. The guide bearing 50 preferably is annularin form and is interposedly supported by the screw 44, between the upperedge of pintle structure 34' and the underside of the trolley frame 42".The upper guide bearing 50 may be provided with an upper annularreinforcing shoulder portion 50'.

Each inside hinge joint 34 preferably is provided at the lower terminusthereof with a lower guide projection 52 operative in the upwardlyfacing grooveway 22 of the sill rail 22 (see FIG. 8). The series oflower guide projections 52 respectively of the series of hinge jointconnections 34, are received in the lower guideway groove structure 22',22 and provides means for guidingly constraining the lower edge marginof the closure panel in bidirectional opening and closing movement. Eachguide projection 52 preferably includes a sleeve-like guide bearing 52'fixedly secured to the lower terminus of the pintle structure 34' ofeach respective hinge joint connection 34. A self-tapping metal screw52" extends through the bearing 52' and threadedly engages the lowerextension of the pintle structure 34'; the shank portion of the screw52" is threadedly fitted in the lower interior of the axial opening 34aand clampingly secures the bearing 52' in a downwardly projectingdisposition runningly engaging the opposite side surfaces 22", 22" ofthe sill rail structure. The bearing 52 may be provided with a pair ofannular rib portions 52a, 52a, providing anti-friction means for runningengagement with the groove surfaces 22", 22". Each guide bearing 52 mayalso be provided with a hexagon shaped upper portion 52b, adapted forengagement by a Wrench or hand tool; the hexagon portion 52b may providefor additional leverage means when tightening or loosening the screw 52"and in assembly or disassembly of the closure structure.

The folding closure construction 14 (FIGS. 1-8) is adapted to beinstalled in a window opening at a disposition elevated above a floor orground surface. The sill rail 22 is thus provided with oppositelyprojecting longitudinally extending upper and lower flanges 22a, 22badapted to lie flush against the wall surface 16 (shown in broken linesin FIG. 8). The screw elements 24 preferably extend through the lowerflange portion 22b of the sill rail and below the horizontal ledge 16"of the building opening. The sill rail 22 preferably includes ahorizontal longitudinally extending face flange portion 22c projectingtransversely obliquely outwardly and downwardly of the rail 22 andextending longitudinally along the lower margin of the building opening.It will be noted that the upper surface 520 of each guide bearing 52'engages the bottom edge surfaces respectively of the pintle and groovestructure 34', 34; the series of bearing surfaces 520 provides axialthrust surface means receiving the downward thrust and weight of theclosure panel, continuously and during the folding operation of theclosure structure.

An upper bearing 54, and a lower thrust bearing 56 preferably isarranged at the respective upper and lower end portions of each outsidehinge joint connection 36 and provides means for preventing relativeaxial displacement of the pintle structure 36 and groove structure 36"of each hinge joint connection between adjacent slat members 30, 32 (seeFIGS. 3 and 8). The upper and lower thrust bearings 54, 56 each arepreferably of annular washer form and operatively engage opposite endedges respectively of the pintle and slot structure 36', 36".Self-tapping type thrust screw elements 58, 60 extend respectivelythrough the bearing elements 54, 56 and threadedly engage the pintlestructure 36' of each outside hinge joint 36; the screw shank portions58', 60' are received respectively in opposite ends of the axial opening36a and are threadedly fixed in the respective upper and lower endportions of the pintle structure 36' of each outside hinge joint.

The header rail structure 20 preferably is extruded with an awningflange 62 extending along the horizontal extension of the header railand projecting generally horizontally outwardly of said rail andarranged at a disposition projecting over the horizontal upper margin ofthe folding closure. An awning flange extension member 62' preferably isfitted on the upper surface of the flange 62 and fixedly secured theretoby rivet means 62". The awning flange extension 62' preferably isprovided with a rolled proximal edge portion 62'a, extendinglongitudinally along the upper face surface of the header rail 20 andproviding decorative or ornamental means for enhancing the appearance ofthe header rail structure. The accordian fold closure 18 may belaterally anchored in the installation by a hinge joint connection 34extending along the inward vertical margin of side jamb 26 (see FIG. 4).Also, in certain installations of the closure construction, a verticalmember 64 may be stationarily supported between the header and sillrails 20, 22 and provide abutment means for the leading slat member ofthe closure configuration when it is in an expanded closed disposition(see FIGS. 2, and 7).

FIG. 9 illustrates a folding closure construction 114 and an embodimentof the invention of curtain wall accordian fold form. The foldingclosure construction 114 includes an accordian fold closure panel 118adapted to be operably supported with its lower horizontal margin beingclosely spaced above the level of a floor surface 166a. The foldingclosure construction 114, corresponds with the closure construction 14,and differs specifically in structure only in the configuration of thesill rail means 122: closure construction 14 includes a plurality ofclosure slat members 130, 132; a series of inside hinge jointconnections 134; a series of outside hinge joint connections 136; alower guide bearing and screw unit 152, 152"; a lower thrust bearing andscrew assembly 156, and, the remaining structure as specificallydescribed in the folding closure construction 14. The sill rail member122 is adapted for accommodating a split-level or stepped floorconfiguration 166a, 166b, 1660 and is extruded to form upper and lowerhorizontal wall portions 1220, 122b; parallel confronting wall portions122', 122' defining the grooveway receiving the series of lower guidebearings 152; and includes an oblique face flange portion 122C. The sillmember 122 is stationarily supported, preferably with its lower wallportion l22b and the distal edge 122a of the face flange restinglyengaging the floor surface 166b and with the upper wall portion 122aedgewise engaging the vertical floor surface 166a and lying generallycoplanar with the horizontal floor surface 166a.

The FIGS. -12 illustrate another embodiment of the folding closureconstruction, indicated 214, and an embodiment particularly representingthe folding closure lock means 268 of the invention. The closureconstruction 214 preferably includes a convergingly diverginglyoperative pair of accordian fold closure panels 218, 218', arrangedrespectively leftward and rightward as viewed in the drawing. Theclosure panels 218, 218 preferably include respectively half slatmembers 270, 270' hingedly connected respectively to slat members 232,232' respectively by inside hinge joint connections 234, 234'. The halfslat members 270, 270' are provided respectively with tongue and grooveportions 270a and 27%, extendingvertically coplanar and operative formating tongue and groove engagement when the closure panels 218, 218 arein converged expanded configuration, as shown in the drawing. The halfslat members 270, 270' are provided respectively with angle flangeprojections 2700, 270d; 270C, 270d, parallel extending and adapted formating arrangement when the closure panels are in closed convergedconfiguration; when the panels 218, 218' are in closed configuration,the angle flange portions 270c, 270c' are in flatwise mating engagement,and the angle flange portions 270d, 270d are in coplanar arrangement(see FIGS. 11 and 12).

The lock means 268, adapted for locking the closure panels 218, 218'includes a lock lever 272 pivotally supported by fulcrum pin means 274a,274b supported on the flange projection 270d of the half slat member270. The lock lever 272 is pivotally fulcrumed on a horizontal axis onthe vertical half slat element 270 and is normally in a lockedhorizontal disposition. The lock lever 272 is provided with a barbedhead portion 272a adapted to extend through aligned apertures 270e,270e' formed respectively in the parallel arranged flange portions 270e,2700 of the half slat members. The barb portion 272a of the lock leverdefines a transverse lock surface 272b, adapted to hook over and engagea strike edge portion 270f of the aperture structure 270s of therightward half slat member 270. Plunger and spring means 276, 278,fitted coaxially in aperture structure 2726 of the lock lever 272provides means yieldably urging the lock lever barb portion 272 aclockwise as viewed in the drawings, and to a latched configuration; theplunger head portion 276a abuttingly engages continuously the flangeportion 270C and yieldably turns the latch lever to a lockedconfiguration. A handle projections 272d of the lock lever providesfinger-operative means for manipulating the lock lever to an unlockeddisposition. In convergingly moving the closure panels 218, 218' toclosed configuration, the sloping undersurface 272a of the lever headportion 272a engages the strike edge 270f lifting the barbed head overthe strike edge and latching the closure panels together. The fold ingclosure construction 214 may be arranged in an open disposition bymanipulating the lock lever 272 counterclockwise while diverginglymoving the pair of closure panels.

While the instant invention is shown and described in presentlypreferred embodiments, it will be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made in the embodiments as described withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding closure structure comprising,

A. a closure panel of accordian fold configuration adapted to bebidirectionally slat from open to closed positions including,

l. a plurality of alternatingly arranged edgewise hinged,

extruded, vertical salt elements of uniform cross sectionalconfiguration,

. a series of inside hinge joint connections,

. a series of outside hinge joint connections, said inside and outsidehinge connections being alternatingly ar ranged and hingedly connectingrespectively adjacent vertical closure slat elements, each of saidinside and outside hinge connections being comprised of,

a. a groove, integrally extruded along one vertical edge of each of saidslats in the form of a first tubular segment, the axis of which isradially disposed, along its length, in the plane of at least a portionof said slat,

b. a second tubular segment, similarly formed, along the opposedvertical edge of said slat, having a reduced diameter for slidingengagement, in pintle fashion, within said first tubular segment of theadjacent slat element;

B. a header rail means including,

1. a longitudinally extending upper trackway;

C. trolley means, operably supported on said trackway, in-

cluding,

l. a trolley frame means to operably support a plurality of trolleywheels,

2. a hanger screw member extending downwardly through each trolley frameand including a lower portion threadedly engaging axially within theupper end portion of each of said second tubular segments of each ofsaid inside hinge joint connections;

D. an upper guideway groove defined by a spaced pair of parallel,horizontal flanges depending downwardly from said header rail means;

E. a plurality of upper guide bearing elements, each of which issupported on a respective hanger screw member between said guidewaygroove flanges;

F. a horizontal sill rail means fixed parallel to and in a generallyvertical coplanar relation to said header rail means, said sill railmeans defining an upwardly oriented lower guideway groove;

G. a lower guide bearing projection fixed to and extending downwardly,into said lower guidway groove, from the lower end of each of saidsecond tubular segments of said inside hinge joint connections;

H. a vertical element arranged generally parallel to a leading verticaledge of the folding closure structure;

I. a relatively deep groove extending; along the entire height of saidvertical edge;

J. a tongue along the opposed edge of said vertical element,

adapted to nest within said groove when said folding closure structureis moved to a closed position;

K. lock means for selectively maintaining said folding closure structurein the closed position including,

1. a latch lever pivotally fulcrumed on a transverse horizontal axis onsaid vertical element,

2. a barb portion projecting outwardly of said vertical element,

3. a transverse, horizontal strike edge defined in said leading edge,adapted to be lockinglly engaged by saidbarb portion when said foldingclosure structure is moved to the closed position,

4. compression spring means to hold said barb portion in said lockedengagement.

2. A folding closure structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein eachlower guide bearing projection includes a lower guide screw having athreaded distal portion received in the axial opening of said secondtubular segment, and a lower guide bearing fitted on the shank portionof said lower guide screw within said lower guideway groove.

3. A folding closure construction as set forth in claim 2 wherein thelower guide bearings of said series of lower guide projection meansincludes axial thrust surface means receiving downward thrust and weightof said closure panel.

4. A folding closure construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidheader rail means includes awning flange means extending along thelongitudinal extension of said header rail, projecting generallyhorizontally outwardly of said rail and arranged at a dispositionsubstantially directly over the horizontal upper margin of said foldingclosure panel.

5. A folding closure construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein eachjoint connection of the series of outside hinge joint connections of theclosure panel is of mating groove and pintle configuration and includesupper and lower thrust bearing means operative for preventing relativebidirectional contradirectional axial displacement of the mating pintleand groove structures of each outside hinge joint connection.

6. A folding closure structure as set forth in claim wherein an upperand a lower thrust screw assembly is arranged respectively at the upperand lower ends of each of said outside hinge joint connections, each ofsaid upper and lower screw assemblies includes a screw having a threadedshank 5 portion received within the axial interior of said secondtubular segment and a bearing ring interposed between a head portion ofsaid screw and one of said ends.

UNITED STATES PATENT OF F ICE CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION 7 Patent No.3,670,797 7 i Dated June 20, 1972 -Inventor(s) John H. 58886110 ""It iscertified that error appears in the above-i dentified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

i chan e "Assignee: WEATHER CONTROL SHUTTERS, INC.,

Broward County, Pa." to -Assignee: WEATHER CONTROL SHUTTERS, INC.Broward County, Florida-- Signed and sealed this 16th day of July 1974.

(SEAL) Attb'est:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DAMN Attesting Officer 7 Commissionerof Patents USCOMM-DC B037 6-P69 FORM Po-mso (10-69) 3 Us, GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: IID 0-366-33

1. A folding closure structure comprising, A. a closure panel ofaccordian fold configuration adapted to be bidirectionally moved fromopen to closed positions including,
 1. a plurality of alternatinglyarranged edgewise hinged, extruded, vertical slat elements of uniformcross sectional configuration,
 2. a series of inside hinge jointconnections,
 3. a series of outside hinge joint connections, said insideand outside hinge connections being alternatingly arranged and hingedlyconnecting respectively adjacent vertical closure slat elements, each ofsaid inside and outside hinge connections being comprised of, a. agroove, integrally extruded along one vertical edge of each of saidslats in the form of a first tubular segment, the axis of which isradially disposed, along its length, in the plane of at least a portionof said slat, b. a second tubular segment, similarly formed, along theopposed vertical edge of said slat, having a reduced diameter forsliding engagement, in pintle fashion, within said first tubular segmentof the adjacent slat element; B. a header rail means including,
 1. alongitudinally extending upper trackway; C. trolley means, operablysupported on said trackway, including,
 1. a trolley frame means tooperably support a plurality of trolley wheels,
 2. a hanger screw memberextending downwardly through each trolley frame and including a lowerportion threadedly engaging axially within the upper end portion of eachof said second tubular segments of each of said inside hinge jointconnections; D. an upper guideway groove defined by a spaced pair ofparallel, horizontal flanges depending downwardly from said header railmeans; E. a plurality of upper guide bearing elements, each of which issupported on a respective hanger screw member between said guidewaygroove flanges; F. a horizontal sill rail means fixed parallel to and ina generally vertical coplanar relation to said header rail means, saidsill rail means defining an upwardly oriented lower guideway groove; G.a lower guide bearing projection fixed to and extending downwardly, intosaid lower guidway groove, from the lower end of each of said secondtubular segments of said inside hinge joint connections; H. a verticalelement arranged generally parallel to a leading vertical edge of thefolding closure structure; I. a relatively deep groove extending alongthe entire height of said vertical edge; J. a tongue along the opposededge of said vertical element, adapted to nest within said groove whensaid folding closure structure is moved to a closed position; K. lockmeans for selectively maintaining said folding closure structure in theclosed position including,
 1. a latch lever pivotally fulcrumed on atransverse horizontal axis on said vertical element,
 2. a barb portionprojecting outwardly of said vertical element,
 3. a transverse,horizontal strike edge defined in said leading edge, adapted to belockingly engaged by said barb portion when said folding closurestructure is moved to the closed position,
 4. compression spring meansto hold said barb portion in said locked engagement.
 2. A foldingclosure structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each lower guidebearing projection includes a lower guide screw having a threaded distalportion received in the axial opening of said second tubular segment,and a lower guide bearing fitted on the shank portion of said lowerguide screw within said lower guideway groove.
 2. a hanger screw memberextending downwardly through each trolley frame and including a lowerportion threadedly engaging axially within the upper end portion of eachof said second tubular segments of each of said inside hinge jointconnections; D. an upper guideway groove defined by a spaced pair ofparallel, horizontal flanges depending downwardly from said header railmeans; E. a plurality of upper guide bearing elements, each of which issupported on a respective hanger screw member between said guidewaygroove flanges; F. a horizontal sill rail means fixed parallel to and ina generally vertical coplanar relation to said header rail means, saidsill rail means defining an upwardly oriented lower guideway groove; G.a lower guide bearing projection fixed to and extending downwardly, intosaid lower guidway groove, from the lower end of each of said secondtubular segments of said inside hinge joint connections; H. a verticalelement arranged generally parallel to a leading vertical edge of thefolding closure structure; I. a relatively deep groove extending alongthe entire height of said vertical edge; J. a tongue along the opposededge of said vertical element, adapted to nest within said groove whensaid folding closure structure is moved to a closed position; K. lockmeans for selectively maintaining said folding closure structure in theclosed position including,
 2. a barb portion projecting outwardly ofsaid vertical element,
 2. a series of inside hinge joint connections, 3.a series of outside hinge joint connections, said inside and outsidehinge connections being alternatingly arranged and hingedly connectingrespectively adjacent vertical closure slat elements, each of saidinside and outside hinge connections being comprised of, a. a groove,integrally extruded along one vertical edge of each of said slats in theform of a first tubular segment, the axis of which is radially disposed,along its length, in the plane of at least a portion of said slat, b. asecond tubular segment, similarly formed, along the opposed verticaledge of said slat, having a reduced diameter for sliding engagement, inpintle fashion, within said first tubular segment of the adjacent slatelement; B. a header rail means including,
 3. A folding closureconstruction as set forth in claim 2 wherein the lower guide bearings ofsaid series of lower guide projection means includes axial thrustsurface means receiving downward thrust and weight of said closurepanel.
 3. a transverse, horizontal strike edge defined in said leadingedge, adapted to be lockingly engaged by said barb portion when saidfolding closure structure is moved to the closed position, 4.compression spring means to hold said barb portion in said lockedengagement.
 4. A folding closure construction as set forth in claim 1wherein said header rail means includes awning flange means extendingalong the longitudinal extension of said header rail, projectinggenerally horizontally outwardly of said rail and arranged at adisposition substantially directly over the horizontal upper margin ofsaid folding closure panel.
 5. A folding closure construction as setforth in claim 1 wherein each joint connection of the series of outsidehinge joint connections of the closure panel is of mating groove andpintle configuration and includes upper and lower thrust bearing meansoperative for preventing relative bidirectional contradirectional axialdisplacement of the mating pintle and groove structures of each outsidehinge joint connection.
 6. A folding closure structure as set forth inclaim 5 wherein an upper and a lower thrust screw assembly is arrangedrespectively at the upper and lower ends of each of said outside hingejoint connections, each of said upper and lower screw assembliesincludes a screw having a threaded shank portion received within theaxial interior of said second tubular segment and a bearing ringinterposed between a head Portion of said screw and one of said ends.